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Amsterdam’s Polspotten store fuses modernity with traditional craftsmanship

Polspotten, Amsterdam. Design by Space Projects and photography by Kasia Gatkowska, The Netherlands

The Netherlands – Amsterdam-based homeware brand Polspotten has opened a unique store designed by local studio Space Projects in the city’s Jordaan neighbourhood, serving as both a shop and an office. It boasts a distinctive design characterised by curvilinear thatched huts paired with terracotta-hued tiles.

The terracotta-inspired elements pay homage to the brand’s roots, and reference its first product, ‘potten’ or pots, which Erik Pol imported when he founded Polspotten in The Netherlands in 1986. Visitors enter through a triangular opening and encounter multi-coloured pots on gridded timber shelving that resemble totemic artefacts. Further inside, molten-style candle holders, Polspotten furniture and uniquely shaped vases in coral-like hues are displayed on illuminated plinths.

One striking feature is a bulbous indoor hut covered in thatch with a light pink opening, which serves as a meeting space for colleagues. The space seamlessly weaves between storefront and an Open-door HQ – creating a new blueprint for offices, a subject we explore further in Work States Futures. This innovative space combines modern design with a nod to traditional craftsmanship, creating a captivating environment to showcase Polspotten’s products.

Strategic opportunity

Brands can learn from Polspotten’s example by embracing hybrid spaces and open HQ layouts to boost transparency and forge deeper connections with the public and consumers. Consider how they can also double as educational third spaces for workshops, talks and more

Ode brings ancient craftsmanship to sustainable luxury

Ode. Photography by Theo Zeal and make-up by Darcee Norman, UK and Lebanon

Middle East – Designer Larissa von Planta is celebrating the inspiring craftsmanship of refugee artisans using upcycled garments embroidered in Beirut-based collectives in Lebanon to create a new kind of luxury brand named Ode.

While studying at London’s Central Saint Martins, Von Planta interned in Beirut and was quickly taken with the extraordinary and centuries-old embroidery traditions of Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. Following the explosion at the port of Beirut in 2020, Von Planta set out to provide work for artisans she had previously worked with and whose livelihoods had been jeopardised.

Originally under her eponymous brand LVPx, Von Planta asked friends and family to donate clothes for upcycling with embroidery for a small fee. The concept has since grown into a social enterprise and the brand was renamed Ode at the end of 2023 as a continued celebration of the inspiring craftsmanship of refugee artisans. Clients drop off old garments at Von Planta’s London atelier and are sent to Jana Studio, a women’s embroidery collective in Beirut, to be upcycled and returned within two months.

The culturally distinct geometric patterns hand-embroidered onto the garments would traditionally be found on wedding gowns and abayas, but the artisans have transformed everything from shorts to coats, kilts and trousers.

In Cultured Waste we unpack how designers are using culture and heritage to cut through the noise when it comes to sustainability. Ode does just that, putting a sustainable spin on recrafted luxury and pushing the boundaries of eco-conscious fashion creatively and compellingly.

Strategic opportunity

Take inspiration from Ode and consider how to extend the lifespan of your products by offering artisan in-store upcycling to breathe new life into older garments

Belmond and Veuve Clicquot present Solaire Journey travel experiences

Global – LVMH-owned luxury hospitality group Belmond has teamed up with champagne brand Veuve Clicquot to craft three unique experiences on board iconic trains. Named Solaire Journeys 2024, the series of international railway routes celebrate slow travel and invite travellers to take the time to disconnect as they follow the sun on board legendary trains.

Kicking off in April 2024, the first itinerary is set in Southeast Asia on the iconic Eastern & Oriental Express. This will be followed by a European tour aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, while the last trip of the series will take passengers to a Latin American adventure on the Hiram Bingham and Andean Explorer. Reflecting Belmond’s responsible travel philosophy, each journey is uniquely shaped by the landscape and culture of its location. The common thread is a celebration of hedonism and art de vivre shared by Belmond and Veuve Clicquot. On the agenda are bespoke gifts, breathtaking views and fine dining, paired with fine champagnes curated by the Cellar Master.

Belmond and Veuve Clicquot’s hedonistic train itineraries align with the revival of locomotive tourism, which we explore in Rail Travel Re-ignited.

Eastern & Oriental Express by Belmond, Southeast Asia

Strategic opportunity

The co-crafted luxury experiences capitalise on the values and savoir-faire shared by the two brands and their overlapping customer bases. Taking cues from Solaire Journeys, consider how your business can embrace the new era of brand collaborations

Stat: Renewables produced enough clean energy to power every UK home in 2023

The Energy Show at Het Nieuwe Instituut, The Netherlands

UK – According to research collected from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit’s (ECIU) Power Tracker, in 2023 power generated from renewable energy sources was more than enough to power all 28m homes in the UK.

Between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, power generated by wind, hydro and solar sources reached over 90TWh (terawatt hours). To generate the same amount of power using gas power stations would have required 180TWh of gas – the same amount needed to heat more than 15.5m UK homes.

‘As the North Sea continues its inevitable decline, we’ll need to import ever greater quantities of gas, undermining our energy independence. The choice for the UK is stark: boost British renewables or import more gas at a price we can’t control,’ said Jess Ralston, head of energy at ECIU.

The UK has a higher gas dependency than any other country in Europe, contributing to British households being among the worst hit by rising energy costs, according to the International Monetary Fund. But adding more clean energy and battery storage to the grid could be a welcome solution.

For more on the latest developments on the climate crisis, don’t forget to explore our Sustainability topic on LS:N Global.

Strategic opportunity

Consider investing in and adopting green technologies that enhance energy efficiency and contribute to a cleaner energy landscape, demonstrating your eco-commitment to your customers